Gazza to sue over NOTW 'hacking'

Paul Gascoigne is to sue the News of the World alleging that he was a victim of the phone-hacking scandal.

Gerald Shamash, the former England footballer's solicitor, confirmed to The Observer that legal proceedings will be launched within days.

Shamash claimed that Gascoigne is in a vulnerable mental state and that his recovery from drug and alcohol abuse has been hindered by the stress of believing his phone had been hacked.

"It has made things even more difficult for his general wellbeing," he said.

Comedian Steve Coogan and actress Sienna Miller are reported to be among those who have already issued legal proceedings in the High Court regarding the scandal, while Chris Tarrant and jockey Kieran Fallon are also expected to launch legal action.